The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Private W. Sterry, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was taken prisoner at Sannah’s Post following a devastating dawn ambush

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Belfast, South Africa 1901, date clasp loose on riband, as issued (2737 Pte. W. Sterry, 2: D. of C. Lt. Inft.) minor edge bruising, nearly extremely fine £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 46th Foot and its Successor Units.

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William Sterry was born in Kidderminster in 1870 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in his home town on 13 July 1888. A former labourer by trade, he served in India from 11 December 1891 to 16 February 1896, and South Africa from 5 November 1899 to 19 July 1901. Serving with the 2nd Battalion, D.C.L.I., Sterry was part of Brigadier General R. G. Broadwood’s column which was ambushed by 1600 men of de Wet’s Commando at Sannah’s Post on 31 March 1900; with the transport wagons jammed together at the drift across the Koornspruit, the ensuing engagement resulted in the loss of one third of the column killed, captured or wounded. The collective gallantry by the officers, drivers and gunners of ‘Q’ Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, was later recognised with the award of four Victoria Crosses.

Taken Prisoner of War - one of 12 other ranks of the 2nd Battalion, D.C.L.I. captured that day - Sterry was later released from Boer captivity at Waterval on 6 June 1900 when his camp was taken by a squadron of the 2nd Dragoons under Captain F. S. Maude. Repatriated to Battalion Depot at Bodmin, Sterry was discharged in July 1901 and returned home to Kidderminster. He died in September 1932.